Summary

Chapter 15 describes the beginning of Casey’s relationship with River. They met on the internet when Casey was 16. Due to the Texas statutory age of consent, however, they only met once Casey had turned 18, the night of Casey’s prom. Casey stole a car that Tashia had rented and drove to the little town of Carson to have sex with River, who, once they had finished, forced Casey to leave at five in the morning. River initially issued a moratorium on affection and was markedly undemonstrative with Casey until Casey slept with one of his friends. Out of jealous pain, River professed love, and the two began a nine-month-long emotionally abusive and tumultuous relationship. Early on, Casey has an HIV-scare that turned out to be strep throat, and he remembers another, more genuine scare that entailed $2,500 emergency medication. Once Casey returned to school...